It requires builders with projects of 10 homes or more \u2014 including apartment complexes \u2014 to set aside at least 5% of those units to families earning less than the area average. Builders who don\u2019t do the set-aside can instead pay into the city\u2019s new housing fund. The fund\u2019s first project is a senior housing center, said Chad McCollum, economic development director for the city.<\/p>\n
He said while this is a new program, the city wants to give builders options to make home construction easier.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know this is going to be a different way of doing business,\u201d McCollum said. \u201cThe ability to either dedicate land, to pay the in-lieu fee, to build offsite, to acquire and rehab an existing apartment building or other property to be used for that set-aside. These are all other ways to ensure that there\u2019s options for developers.\u201d<\/p>\n
(Disclosure: GV Wire Publisher Darius Assemi is the owner of Granville Homes.)<\/p>\n
Affordable Housing Policy to Add to Housing Costs: De Young<\/p>\n
McCollum said they hope to meet with developers and members of the public to refine the plan before it goes to the city\u2019s planning commission in January and the Clovis City Council in March.<\/p>\n
Plaintiff and homeless advocate Desiree Martinez declined to comment on the plan. Attorney Patience Milrod deferred a comment to an attorney with Central California Legal Services, who did not respond in time for publication.<\/p>\n
Brandon De Young, executive vice president at De Young Properties, said builders need more time to understand the policy and rushing could lead to unintended consequences for development.<\/p>\n
Clovis\u2019 builder fees are typically higher than in Fresno.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a local builder, our main concern with the new (Mixed Income Zoning Ordinance) is that it adds significant costs to new homebuilding at a time when Clovis housing is already strained by high developer impact fees and other factors,\u201d De Young said. \u201cFor example, the in-lieu fee of $2.80 per square foot of living space would add about $5,600 to a typical 2,000 square-foot home, further eroding affordability for buyers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Does Clovis Want Affordable Housing?<\/p>\n
The city found itself having to implement changes after a lawsuit from Martinez and housing advocate\/attorney Milrod. The state sided with plaintiffs, saying the city was 4,425 housing units short \u2014 much of it high density \u2014 in its state-mandated plan.<\/p>\n
As part of the court-ordered settlement, the city found space in it zoning plan for 1,300 units and agreed to six terms that would make up the remaining difference.<\/p>\n
One of the items now being discussed \u2014 to be considered by the city\u2019s planning commission and city council in early 2026 \u2014 would require homebuilders to either build affordable housing or pay into a fund to support construction of it.<\/p>\n
The Mixed-Income Zoning Ordinance requires that 5% of new homes be priced for people earning less than the area median income. For apartments and duplexes, half of that 5% must be priced for people earning 50% AMI and the other half for people earning 80% AMI.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe problem is rents have risen far beyond the majority of the market\u2019s ability to afford.\u201d \u2014 Robin Kane, managing director, Northmarq <\/p>\n